April is Child Abuse Awareness Month

Kern County DHS to hold flag raising ceremony to mark efforts to end abuse, neglect of children

Comment

Taft Midway Driller - Taft, CA

Writer

Posted Apr. 1, 2013 at 11:43 AM
Updated Apr 1, 2013 at 11:48 AM

Posted Apr 1, 2013 at 11:43 AM
Updated Apr 1, 2013 at 11:48 AM

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month, a time to raise awareness about child

abuse, neglect, and encourage families, individuals and communities to support one another

in these challenging times.

The Kern County Department of Human Services (DHS) will join the Child Welfare League of America and social service agencies across our the nation in calling for the immediate cessation of violence against children in America.

On Friday, April 5, a memorial flag will be raised in Kern County to remember the thousands of children lost nationwide in the last year to violence.

The flag will be raised at 8:30 a.m. on in front of the Human Services Building at 100 East California Avenue. The community is invited to join in this memorial ceremony.

The flag will be flown throughout the entire month of April.

The symbol of this observance will be the presentation and display of the Children's Memorial Flag. The flag is a simple moving image of a red field depicting blue paper-doll-like figures of children holding hands. In the center, the white chalk outline of a missing child symbolizes the children lost to violence. DHS, the Child Welfare League of America and other groups use this ceremony to specifically honor those children lost in our community due to abuse or neglect.

Last year in Kern County, 9 children lost their lives due to abuse or neglect.

The Department of Human Services, with support from many other community partners, works to bring awareness to child abuse prevention. This month and throughout the year, DHS encourages all individuals and organizations to play a role in making Kern County a better place for families and children. By ensuring that parents have the knowledge, skills, and resources they need to care for their children, we can help prevent child abuse and neglect by strengthening families and communities.

A second flag ceremony is also being planned for Friday, April 26, in Ridgecrest to close the month-long activities planned to raise awareness about Child Abuse prevention.